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ContentFilm plc has an investment in a new US reality television production company, Collins Avenue. In an initial five year deal, starting February 2009, Collins Avenue will be jointly owned by ContentFilm in partnership with leading US reality television producer, Jeff Collins. ContentFilm will invest start up capital together with ongoing overhead, in return for its joint venture stake. Additionally, ContentFilm’s international television distribution division, Fireworks, will act as international distributor for Collins Avenue products and formats. Mr John Schmidt, Chief Executive Officer of ContentFilm, commented: “In recent months, as we have been building the non-fiction side of Fireworks International, the opportunity arose to invest in Collins Avenue and join Jeff in starting his own company. We are big fans of Jeff’s shows, as evidenced by the success of BrideZillas and The Exterminators, and as we got to know him, we were greatly impressed by his energy, enthusiasm, and commercial experience. As Jeff launches new productions, we look forward to working with him on international sales and co-productions, and we will help him build his new business in any way we can. This marks a significant step in our plan to build a strong non-fiction business alongside our established fiction business.” Mr Jeff Collins, Chief Executive Officer of Collins Avenue, commented: “This is a great time to establish a US reality production company with strong international distribution. US reality programming is getting stronger as the demand for great reality ideas increases in the domestic market alongside a growing appetite in international markets. The world wants to watch what we make and that is truly exciting. “After a decade of running shows and companies for other people, it’s time I take the reins. Joining the ContentFilm Group was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. The access they provide to international markets is unsurpassed. They share my vision and agree that now is the time to invest and grow.”
Key Executives:
Jeff Collins, Chief Executive Officer, Collins Avenue For the past several years Jeff Collins oversaw the US office of September Films, serving as the show runner for three seasons on W.E. TV’s highest rated series “BrideZillas” seen in over 150 territories around the world, as well as the new A&E series “The Exterminators” which debuted on 4 Feb 2009. He also served as an Executive Consultant on “The Pregnant Man” for Discovery, which was the highest rated show of 2008 for Discovery Networks. In addition Collins also served as the show runner for VH1’s “I Know My Kid’s A Star”, “How Clean Is Your House?” for Lifetime, “Survival of the Richest” for the WB, the variety show “The Pet Shop with Andy Kindler,” “Design Invasion,” “Friends or Lovers,” and the “Crashing With” franchise for MTV. Beginning his career on the hit show “Entertainment Tonight,” Jeff was soon promoted to Vice President of LGE, a production company under the wing of Paramount Domestic Television, for which he produced a number of successful specials and documentaries. Collins is represented by APA. |
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